Star Tech Journal

Data East Pin: Solid State Flippers And
Joe Kaminkow, Director of Design
Data East Pinball
Melrose Park, Illinois
and it is called ABC Monday Night Football
complete with goal post that go up and
down. We also intend to release Batman and
Johnny Quest later this year.
Yes, it is true Data East Pinball has invented
solid state flippers, (no end-of-strokes), and
it will not cost any more money per game to
include on future production, not one red
cent! Data East Pinball will be three years old
and I agree we had a hard time getting
started, remember a pinball company has
not started from scratch in our biz since
Williams in 1946.
Finally, Data East is not a flash-in-the-pan
company: Last year more then 50 million
players played our games and 20 thousand
units were shipped. Data East brought you
Heavy Barrel and BadDudesvideos and this
year Sly Spy and others. This is a commit-
ment we feel deeply about and intend to be
successful with.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
OPERATORS VIEWPOINT
We hold our heads high with pride on what
we have accomplished. Solid state flippers,
the only true digital stereo sound system,
advanced cable and light board technology,
great games, and a commitment to not
having the operator be forced to buy games
from one manufacturer. I think since we
started, pinball has improved by our chal-
lenge and Industry insight.
Evan Wessel
Mercury Amusement
Haverford, Pennsylvania
Amie and Pete in service do a fantastic job
servicing and keeping the field up and going.
Our pop bumpers and new slings are the
best in the biz, (if you have not looked at our
games since Secret Service, you should.
PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
It's not easy starting a pinball company and
we thank all that bought Time Machine, Play-
boy and others. In the next year, we are going
to excite you with things like solid state flip-
pers, and powerboxes that will allow you to
solder the head without opening up the
playfield.
We also intend to ship some really exciting
games in the next year. The football game
you heard about does make alot of money
Sounds like you've got some exciting new
products on the burners, Joe. As a street op,
I do have reservations about any pinball
except Williams for the following reasons:
1) More parts to carry around
and stock.
2) Questionable resale val-
ues (nothing beats a good
Williams)
3) Reliability and not know-
ing the quirks. I hate look-
ing like a dope on location.
But, I really like the play of the Data East
pins and feel that they are a must for ar-
cades.
Some of the Data East pins look a little
threadwom after being on location a while.
I've observed weak flippers and bumpers
and many loose posts. Something to work
on, I guess.